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Jackson to "Pack the Bus" to Feed Children

The Regional Inter-Faith Association is hosting the second annual “Pack the Bus” food drive for the Snack Backpack program this Saturday.

The program helps feed school children over the weekends who have shown signs of living in a food insecure home.

“This event is pivotal for our Snack Backpack ministry,” according to Lisa Tillman, RIFA Executive Director. “Each year the program continues to grow, which in turn, requires more food and funds. This will be a great event were individuals, church groups and businessescan support an effort that truly makes an impact in our community.”

The Jackson community is encouraged to “Pack the Bus” full of non-perishable food items.

A Jackson-Madison County school bus will be parked in between the Walmart North (2196 Emporium Drive) door entrances with volunteers accepting food and monetary donations from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

This year, Jackson celebrities including WBBJ's very own Keli McAlister will be accepting donations throughout the day.

Many children who rely on free or reduced-priced lunches during the school year go home to little or no food on the weekends.

The RIFA Snack Backpack ministry works to fill this gap by providing kid-friendly, easy-to-prepare, nutritious food items for children who are at risk of going hungry on Saturdays and Sundays.

Last school year, more than 560 backpacks of food were distributed each week to children at 13 local elementary schools.